Department of Physical Therapy (H.G.), Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah; Easterseals Massachusetts (C.R.), Worcester; Rocky Mountain University Foundation Community Rehabilitation Clinic (J.L., B.H.), Provo, Utah; and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (E.G., J.D.), Provo, Utah.
J Neurol Phys Ther. 2024 Jan 1;48(1):54-63. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000450. Epub 2023 Aug 11.
Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently report low physical activity and psychosocial support due to concerns with transportation, time, finances, access to services, and lack of caregiver support. These barriers can be addressed by online group interventions; however, utility of such programs in individuals with MS has not been examined yet. The purpose of this retrospective study was, therefore, to ( a ) investigate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of a virtual group exercise program in individuals with MS, and ( b ) explore the participant perceptions after the program.
Retrospective data from the medical records of 17 individuals with MS (mean [SD] age = 53.5 [12.3] years, body mass index = 28.2 [7.2]) who completed the virtual 13-week group exercise program, pre- and posttraining functional status questionnaires, and the end-of-program feedback were extracted. The exercise program included aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility training components recommended for people with MS. Feasibility, safety, outcomes, and participant perceptions were determined by adherence to the prescribed daily exercise dosage, number of adverse events, within-group differences in self-reported functional status, and thematic analysis of the participant feedback, respectively.
Participants were adherent (79%), reported minimal adverse effects, and demonstrated significant changes ( P < 0.05) in functional status posttraining. Several themes on the perceived barriers, facilitators, and suggestions for improvement were identified.
A virtual 13-week group exercise program can be feasible, safe, effective, and well received by individuals with MS. Future research should investigate the dose-response effectiveness of telehealth and compare various telehealth models of exercise training using large randomized controlled trials.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1 available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A434 , which demonstrates an overview of the study).
多发性硬化症（MS）患者常因交通、时间、财务、服务可及性和缺乏照顾者支持等问题而报告身体活动和社会心理支持水平较低。这些障碍可以通过在线小组干预来解决；然而，此类计划在 MS 患者中的应用尚未得到检验。本回顾性研究的目的是：（a）调查 MS 患者虚拟小组运动项目的可行性、安全性和结果；（b）探讨项目结束后参与者的看法。
从参加为期 13 周的虚拟小组运动项目的 17 名 MS 患者（平均[标准差]年龄=53.5[12.3]岁，体重指数=28.2[7.2]）的病历中提取回顾性数据，包括训练前后的功能状态问卷和项目结束时的反馈。运动项目包括有氧运动、阻力训练、平衡和灵活性训练，这些都是为 MS 患者推荐的训练内容。通过遵守规定的每日运动剂量、不良事件数量、自我报告的功能状态的组内差异以及参与者反馈的主题分析，确定了可行性、安全性、结果和参与者的看法。
参与者的依从性（79%）高，报告的不良事件很少，且训练后功能状态有显著变化（P<0.05）。确定了一些关于感知障碍、促进因素和改进建议的主题。
虚拟 13 周小组运动项目对 MS 患者来说是可行、安全、有效且受欢迎的。未来的研究应调查远程医疗的剂量反应效果，并使用大型随机对照试验比较各种远程医疗运动训练模式。
